It’s the return of Africa’s rich and famous.
The second season of Netflix’s Young, Famous & African brings a host of new faces, relationships and more drama than ever expected.
Returning cast members Khanyi Mbau, Nadia Nakai, Zari Hassan, Annie Macauley Idibia, Diamond Platnumz, Andile Ncube, Quinton ‘Naked DJ’ Masina, Kayleigh Schwark, and Swanky Jerry are joined by some new talent ready to shake things up.
This season shows a deeper look into the lives and friendships of some of the continent’s elite, with new arrivals including Queen B herself Bonang Matheba, model Rosette Ncwana, the return of socialite Sebabatso Motsibi – both of whom share children with Andile – Ghanaian-American musician Fantana, and Namibian-born entrepreneur Luis Funana.
READ MORE | WATCH | Bonang joins the cast of Young, Famous & African, while Rosette Ncwana makes an appearance
Shahir Chundra, the showrunner of the series, lets us in on how the original cast came to be.
“So, Peace [Hyde] and Martin [Asare-Amankwa], our amazing show creators, had this concept and they knew some of the cast that they had in mind. And then it was really looking for a genuine group of friends or, at least connections between people that have met before so that it was reality.
“I love that it’s a young, diverse South African crew and they’re amazing. I mean they’ve delivered a world-class project. And also, I just love that the show is so unapologetically African. We don’t try and explain anything, this is Africa, this is this amazing group of superstar friends and I’m really proud of it and proud of everyone and, well, I think we all know we worked hard.”
Here is what some of the castmates of Young, Famous & African had to tell TRUELOVE about what viewers can expect coming up this season:
Nadia Nakai
From pivoting friendships to all-around drama, the 33-year-old rapper shares how this season brought conflicts like never before.
“I think last season we were a little bit more unified because it seemed like there was one main drama that all of us were chiming in. Whereas in season two, there’s a lot of like issues with so many groups. So, it was difficult to be involved in absolutely everyone’s issues because people would break away, people have their own people they want to confide in. So, a lot of the time I was observing drama and most of the times I was trying to like mediate drama but, I mean, I’m one person. I can’t fix everybody’s dramas.”
Kayleigh Schwark
Many will remember the turbulence of model and footballer Kayleigh Schwark’s relationship with Quinton Masina – who professionally goes by Naked DJ – in season one. This time around Kayleigh is looking forward to sharing the couple’s growth.
“I think that our relationship has really grown, you know, to a new level and I think it’s really going to come through in season two – once everybody gets to watch it. It really does come through, you know, we’ve grown, we’ve matured. There’s ups and downs in every relationship and I think that is still really authentic and still shows what we go through every single day. We’ve been really real and none of it was put on, which is really, you know – it’s a misconception that people have about reality shows, that it’s scripted, and you know we get told what to say, what to do. And I like the fact that we were given this platform to be our authentic selves and be true to ourselves.”
Quinton Masina (Naked DJ)
Known for hosting his Ask a Man series on MetroFM, the radio personality and DJ explains how the second season will give viewers an in-depth perspective into their lives and into his relationship with Kayleigh.
“I don’t think you close the book as far as love is concerned. I think with relationships you learn something new every single day and I think, you know, after season one that’s where the real work started. Not only from my side but from her side as well and, yeah, like I said, you can never close the book… So, you know, come Friday you’ll actually see that it just doesn’t end, we are still trying to, you know, push out our elbows a little bit and trying to – I think trying to cement who we are in the relationship. But at the end of the day, we’ll see if love conquers all or not.”
Khanyi Mbau
After two decades dominating the entertainment industry, Khanyi shares how viewers will get to see a different side to her and the friendships she’s cultivated.
“We’ve evolved in a sense that we’re like family. So, you know how the family dynamic is: it’s raw. Emotions are real, no one’s pretending. We’re not industry-friendly people anymore, we literally know each other’s laundry. And in terms of how it’s evolved with the new guests on the show, which are now the cast members, it’s become diverse. We’ve got young, old, experienced, non-experienced. So, it really feels like my youngest brother all the way to my oldest brother, which is nice.”
Fantana
Since the American-born Ghanaian rapper has been making a splash in the hip hop and dancehall scene, Fantana is ready to meet Africa’s elite and shake things up.
“On the show I kind of grew closer with every individual as time was going by. Once everyone decided to get to know me better, it was easier to build my own bond with each individual person. Even me and Kayleigh you know, even after everything we still talk, we still check on each other and stuff like that. Me and Naked, of course. Me and Swanky, Bonang – I feel like me and Khanyi, Nadia – I built a bond with everybody so I kind of really really like that, you know, because at first, I was kind of like ah!... So, it’s nice being able to have my own relationship with everybody.”
Andile Ncube
From a seemingly budding connection with Zari to juggling baby mamas, the radio and TV broadcaster hopes to continue sharing an authentic perspective into their lives.
“It’s a dynamic relationship but if there’s one takeaway – and the reason why you find a Rosette and a Sebabatso and myself in this is – the social media perception is ‘I love how they parent, it’s so beautiful, it’s so great. Aw look at how they’re able to do things altogether’. It’s not easy, but it can be done, and I think from a family point of view, which has a very different way of raising a family, we’re hoping that we shed a little light in showing what can be done for the betterment of the children more than anything and that’s what it is really. To say, guys it’s a tough thing. We’ve all found ourselves in – because we’re not all living perfect lives, but it can be done.”
READ MORE | Andile Ncube on his passion for storytelling - 'I’m a vehicle for people to tell their stories'
Luis Funana
A former Big Brother Africa contestant turned successful entrepreneur, Luis is hoping to put his home country on the map and explore his vulnerability.
“In the end I did [feel accepted], yes. I also felt I should open myself up more like what Khanyi said. It started off as people that know each other. We sort of became a family, so I need my family to know me, that way they’ll understand who I am. If I’m closed off and if I don’t show them the real me, it’s difficult to let people in, it’s difficult for them to understand my story, it’s difficult for them to interact and engage with me. So, to me that was a very important moment, to open myself up.”
Sebabatso Mothibi
The saga continues as the model and socialite makes an appearance, as viewers will get the opportunity to get a glimpse into the real world of complex relationships.
“I think you guys will probably get an inside into Andile’s life, which is a hot topic always. So, yeah, especially the three of us, myself, [Andile], Rosette, so it’s just an insight on all the stars and things that you wouldn’t otherwise get on a natural or a normal day. So, I think that’s what people will be excited to see, you know, besides the drama drama, these are actually human beings.”
Season two of Young, Famous & African premieres Friday, 19 May 2023, on Netflix.
